Entertaining Royals and Protocol

“ Prior to arrival of King George VI and Queen Elizabeth, Mrs. Roosevelt says she received thousands of letters from Americans who were biting their fingernails in fear that the Roosevelts would be much too informal in entertaining the Royal visitors. ‘Don't serve hot dogs at the picnic,’ many letters warned. ‘Wouldn't it be advisable to employ a distinguished chef from one of the hotels to take charge of the White House kitchen during the visit of the royal couple?’ asked some of the correspondents.”

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Emily Post once served bar-b-que at an afternoon tea, so Etiquipedia feels that hot dogs can certainly be served nicely to visiting royalty, if done in a similar manner as that shown above. Instead of on paper plates as Eleanor Roosevelt served them, these hot dogs are served in American cut glass, antique celery servers and Gilded Age sterling and gilt, chow chow and piccalilli servers. The Norfolk Manor Piccalilli Relish is imported from England and the Rip Jax Chow Chow relish is a favorite in the American south– a perfect mix reflecting both countries!

Americans advise the Roosevelts as Hosts 

We do not know what advice Emily Post would give, but you can be reasonably sure that your manner is correct when meeting king or commoner if you will “just be natural.”

Prior to arrival of King George VI and Queen Elizabeth, Mrs. Roosevelt says she received thousands of letters from Americans who were biting their fingernails in fear that the Roosevelts would be much too informal in entertaining the Royal visitors.

“Don't serve hot dogs at the picnic,” many letters warned.

“Wouldn't it be advisable to employ a distinguished chef from one of the hotels to take charge of the White House kitchen during the visit of the royal couple?” asked some of the correspondents.

Other letters urged Mrs. Roosevelt to do this and do that, and “don't do this and don't do that.”

All of which proves that the American people, realizing that the occupants of the White House are serving only as official hosts of the people, are eager to entertain these charming visitors in correct and hospitable manner.

This social responsibility is in capable hands, you may be sure. Perhaps we have never had any family in the White House more qualified to entertain royalty, for the Franklin D. Roosevelts have the background of experience which has convinced them that Kings and commoners alike feel more at ease when their hosts are “being natural.”

“How are you? So glad to see you!” said the President of the United States when he met King George at Washington's Union Station.

He could have said stiffly: “Your Majesty, on behalf of the people of the United States I welcome you to Washington.”

What better welcome could a King want than that perfectly natural expression: “So glad to see you!” – Santa Cruz Sentinel, June 10th, 1939

🌭Etiquette Enthusiast, Maura J. Graber, is the Site Editor for the Etiquipedia© Etiquette Encyclopedia